, 1887-02-26

ceSSOrieS, while the servants spread car
pets over the courtyard. ,eA u.ha#4 .
The puppet stage is generally very small
and has to be almost on q level with the
ground, whereon the spectators squat lin
the Indian fashion. 1t Isl, however, very
neatly got up by means of ~bamboos, sticks,
bambJOmats, and other such material, and
when finished up with white and coloured
sheets and hung with little lanterns, it
makes a pretty sight. The scenery, though
of a simple description, is neat aad taste
ful; and the wooden figures, which are
worked by means of wires or strings, are
always bright and freshly painted. They
are gaily dressed too; q brilliant pictorial
effect being the chief aim of the proprietor.
Great ingenuity Is spent in making the
complexion and features Of the m~ari0nettes
correspond with those of the character
they represent, so that YOU can tell at a
glance which is the valiant hero of kingly
race and which the diSreputable villain of
low caste. The mechanism of the figures
displays equal ingenuity. The butfoOn can
move almost every part of his body;
he can shut and open his eyes, open his
mouth, stride across the stage, and visit
his figure IN many ways. The chief cha
rdcterS can turn and nod their heads, raise
their arms, and bend the boly. so as to be
WV !" "A" ia iuO proper ItSHiOu. Inc
inferior ~perSOnagrs are allowed much less
freedom OF movement, and there are a
number OF puppets who pass on and off the
stage without the least geSticulati0n. Two
men SET the figures in motion from behind
the scene, talking for the puppets in a
WhlstlIlg and squeaking MANNERS; while
two other men sit in front of the stage,
singing anu playing musical instruments
between the acts and sometimes giving the
dialogue or explaining what is going on.
A pupp"t-show in India is intended
mainly for young children; but grown-up
young men invariably smuggle themselves
into the dark corners of the COURTYARD.
while the Tusjling Of flowing dresses, and
the noise OF Subdued talking and laughing
behind the screens in the vprandah above,
Indicate that the ladies' take as much inter.
est II! We maflonettes rs their young ones
90. Then there must 10 some men to keep
order among the children: and usually q
keen competition for this Office takes place
among the elderly folk of the house. Of
course they cannot help looking on at the
fun before them. Al every burst Of merri-
ment among the Youngsters the master of
the house comes from his chamber, his
friends accompanying him, and tells the
NOISY children to be a little quirtpr: and
he too cannot help glancing nj the puppet-
show. And so everybody in the house
finds himself, somehow or other, looking
at It. The proprietor of the show knows
this well enough, and accordingly adapts
his programme to the taste of both sexes
and all ages.
One OF the commOnest pieces acted is the
old Old story of Ram and Ravauah, which
never seems to tire the patience of the
Hind0OS. The abduction of Sta; the march
for her rescue; the v%irtuous queens prison
in the groves of Ceylon; the fight between
Ram aud Ravana; the Staying of the ten
headed monster and the triumphant bring
ing home of his wife by the heroic King of
Onllh, are very ~cleverly represented on
the puppet,stage. The characters which
give the greatest pleasure to the juvenile
spectators are the municipalities of Ram,
who, in the midst of the marches and bat
ties, have a trick of g%rinning and making
faces at the children which sets the latter
shrieking and shouting. Another favour
lite character, and a useful ne to the pro
prietOr Of the show, is the Crazy beggar.
This parsonage cannOt go through his
antics until he is supplied with a little food;
and the man in front explains this
to the children, who thereupOn throw
some coppers to him. The beggar has
lately married, and he will not show his
pretty young wife unless the little gentle
men give him some presents: which brings
another shower of cOppers. oA9
Another favOurite exhibition by means l..
of puppets is the Court of the Great Akbar.
T:.nk 1900 H. @I 4kA2- AA@Nnn